Switch for telegraph circuits



Nov. 22, '1927.

` J. D. HEALEA SWITCH FCR TELEGRAPH CIRCUITS Filed Oct. 19. 1925 J Y l: I@ 'nl w' n ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Nov.. f2.2, 1927.

JOHN D. HEALEA, OF EDWARDS, LLINOIS.

SWITCH FOR TELEGRAPH CIRCUITS.

Application iled October 19, 1925. Serial No. 63,479.

lhis invention relates to apparatus designed particularly tor use in connection with telegraph transmitting apparatus and has for its object the provision of a novel circuit closer or switch intended for use in connection with a vibropleX sending machine, the arrangement being such that any desired line may be out into the circuit at an instants notice without the use of the well known plugs, jacks or the like which have always been a source of trouble and annoyance.

A more speeilic object of the invention is to provide a switch to be interposed between a telegraph key and a sending machine, the switch involving a readily rotatae ble element for making or breaking the circuit as desired.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a switch of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to use, positive in action, elicient and durable in service, and a general im.

provement in the art.

1With the above and other objects and ad vantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and arrangement ot' parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a pair ot the devices used in connection with a sending instrument and a pair of keys,

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the switch itself,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure t is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates a telegraph instrument oix the sending type, which may, in actual practice, be of that variety known as the vibropleX The letters B and C designate a pair of sending keys. Interposed between the sending instrument and these keys are the switch devices D and E forming the sub] ect matter of the present invention.

rlhe devices D and E are similar and each comprises a body of suitable insulating material formed with a. cylindrical recess or chamber 11 and provided at opposite sides with extensions 12 and 13. rThe top of the body is open and adapted to be closed by a disk-like cover 15 held in place by any suitable means, such, for instance, as screws 16.

Embedded or otherwise mounted within the extension 13 are metallic contacts 1'? and 18 separated by a strip 19 of insulating material and adapted to be inserted within the sockets or jacks forming part of the regular equipment of the keys B and C. Se cured within the chamber or recess 11 are contacts 2O and 21 connected, respectively, with the strips 17 and 18.

Secured within the recess or chamber 11 at points opposite the contacts 20 and 21 are contacts 22 and 23 with which are connected conductors 24; and 25 which are brought out through the extension 12 and which are adapted for connection with the sending instrument A. Mount/ed within the chamber or recess are stops 26 and 27 for a purpose to be described.

Located within the recess or chamber is the movable portion of the switch which includes a body member or disk 28 carried by a. stem 29 rotatable through the cover 15 and carrying a key, knob or the like 30 so that 1t may be turned. Secured to the underside of the member 28 as by screws 31 are installic members 32 and 33 one of which is formed as a strip and the other as a segment. These metal contacts are adapted to cooperm ate with the contacts 20, 21, 22 and 23 for conttrolling opening and closing of the circui'.

In the operation, it is of course to be understood that the normal position of the switch is its circuit breaking position as ind icated at E in Figure 1. `When it is desired to cut any line into the circuit the operator should grasp the knob or key 30 and turn it 1n the proper direction to bring the rotary member 28 in such position that the metallic segment 32 will engage with the contacts 20 and 23, the strip 33 engaging and bridging the contacts 21 and 22 as indicated in Figure 2. When this is done one end of the strip 33 engages against the stop pm 26 tor limiting the movement. To break the circuit the rotary member is turned in the opposite direction until the other end of the strip 33 engages the stop pin 27. lt this be done the segment 32 will engage and bridge the contacts 20 and 21 while breaking the connection between them and the contacts 22 and 23. To insure proper coaction between the stationary and movable contacts, the post 29 may be surrounded by a coil spring 34 forcing the member 28 downwardly.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it Will be apparent that I have thus provided a peculiarly constructed switch device Well capable of pervforming its functions and of great advantage in facilitating the use ofi the vibroplex machine for transmitting purposes as it is unnecessary to change plugs with respect to the jacks connected with the various lines.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of' the invention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the 'foi-m, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart 'from the spirit of the invention or the scope ot the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

In a switch of the character described, a circular body of insulating material provided centrally With a chamber of circular form and provided at diametrically opposite points With elongated extensions, pairs of contacts located Within said chamber at the bottom thereof and arranged in spaced relation at a location adjacent said reduced extensions, a plug formed. as a pair of metal strips separately by a strip of insulation and mounted Within one of said extensions, Wires embedded in said extension and connected with the metal strips ol the plug, and with the adjacent contacts, cinrent carrying Wires embedded in the other reduced exten sion and connected with the other pair of contacts, the top of said chamber being open, a cover plate mounted on the body for enclosing said chamber, the cover plate having a central opening therein, and a 1novable member comprising a supporting element of insulating material located Within the chamber and carrying a metal strip adapted to bridge selected ones ot the pairs of contacts, said supporting member having a recess therein, a key located exteriorly of said cover plate and having a stem extending through the opening therein and connected with said supporting member, and a spring located Within the recess and bearing against the top of said supporting member and against the. underside of the cover plate.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

JOHN D. HEALEA. 

